Can International Students Open a Bank Account Online in the Netherlands?
Can International Students Open a Bank Account Online in the Netherlands?
Yes, international students can open a bank account online in the Netherlands. Banks such as ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank and bunq allow eligible customers to apply through a mobile application without completing traditional paperwork.
Whether the entire process can be completed online depends on the student’s passport, Dutch address, residence status and ability to pass digital identity verification. Some banks also allow students to start without a BSN, although the number must be provided within a specified period.
Which Banks Let International Students Apply Online?
1. ABN AMRO – Best Online Student Account
ABN AMRO offers a free Student Package that can be opened through its mobile application.
The account includes:
- Dutch current account
- Debit card
- Internet banking
- ABN AMRO mobile banking
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Cash withdrawals
- Free linked savings account
International students can verify their identity online using an international passport or accepted Dutch identification. ABN AMRO states that the account-opening and identity-verification process can be completed entirely online, without visiting a branch to sign documents. US students are instructed to arrange an appointment instead.
The Student Package is intended primarily for students aged 18 through 24 with a registered address in the Netherlands. It is advertised as free for international students.
ABN AMRO also allows eligible newcomers to begin without a BSN. The bank’s current pages mention different deadlines of 90 or 120 days, so applicants should follow the exact deadline displayed during their own application.
Best for: Students seeking a free account with a major Dutch bank and online passport verification.
2. ING – Best for Students Waiting for a BSN
Eligible international students can open an ING account online or through the ING mobile application.
The applicant generally needs:
- To be at least 18
- A Dutch residential address or RNI registration
- A supported passport or identity document
- A compatible Android phone or iPhone
- A working mobile number
- Dutch residence documentation when applicable
ING allows eligible expats to start without a BSN and provide it within 90 days.
The bank may still request further identity verification if it cannot verify a foreign passport or residence information remotely. Therefore, applying online does not guarantee immediate approval.
Students who meet the separate eligibility conditions can consider ING’s Student Account. Other applicants can open one of ING’s standard payment packages.
Best for: Students who have a Dutch address but are still waiting to receive their BSN.
3. bunq – Best Fully Digital Option
bunq is a Dutch digital bank that allows customers to open and manage accounts through its mobile app.
Its online application can provide:
- Dutch IBAN
- Digital identity verification
- Mobile payments
- Debit or card options depending on the plan
- Multiple budgeting accounts
- Savings tools
- English-language support
bunq states that eligible customers can start before moving to the Netherlands and do not need a BSN at the beginning. Dutch residents must normally provide the number within 90 days.
University students who meet bunq’s age and residence requirements may qualify for a discounted student plan after uploading valid proof of enrolment. The available plan and discount depend on the customer’s location and eligibility.
Applicants must live in a supported European Economic Area country. Having a European tax number alone is not enough when the customer does not reside in a supported country.
Best for: Students who want app-only banking and may not yet have received a BSN.
4. Rabobank Rabo Free – Best for Students Aged 18 to 27
Rabobank allows eligible customers to open a payment account through the Rabo App.
The process generally involves:
- Downloading the application.
- Selecting a payment package.
- Entering personal information.
- Verifying an identity card or passport.
- Activating mobile banking.
- Receiving the physical debit card by post.
Rabobank states that the process can take around five minutes and that the account can be used immediately after successful verification. The physical debit card normally arrives within five business days.
Rabo Free is available without a monthly package fee to customers aged 18 to 27. It includes a debit card, mobile banking and budgeting tools. The account remains free until the customer turns 28.
Unlike ABN AMRO, ING and bunq, Rabobank’s ordinary online process generally expects the applicant to already have a BSN. This can make it less practical immediately after arrival.
Best for: Students aged 18 to 27 who already have their BSN and can pass app-based verification.
Can the Entire Process Be Completed Online?
Yes, but only when the bank accepts the student’s identity document and verifies all submitted information digitally.
A fully online application usually involves:
- Scanning the passport or identity card
- Using the phone’s NFC reader
- Taking a selfie or short identification video
- Entering the Dutch address
- Providing tax-residency information
- Submitting the BSN or agreeing to provide it later
- Signing the banking agreement electronically
ABN AMRO explicitly states that eligible students using an international passport can complete identity verification entirely online.
Other students may be asked to complete additional verification because of:
- Unsupported passport type
- Missing residence permit
- Inconsistent personal information
- Unverified Dutch address
- US tax obligations
- Failed photo or NFC verification
- Additional compliance checks
Documents Needed for an Online Application
International students should prepare:
- Valid passport or EU identity card
- Dutch residence permit for non-EU students
- Dutch residential address
- BSN, if already issued
- University enrolment certificate
- Dutch or European mobile number
- Email address
- Foreign tax identification number
- Information about all countries of tax residence
Students using a non-Dutch passport may also need proof that they live in the Netherlands. ABN AMRO, for example, requires proof of Dutch residence from applicants using foreign identification.
Can Students Open an Account Before Moving?
bunq advertises the ability for eligible customers to start signing up before moving to the Netherlands, provided they meet its supported-country and verification rules.
ABN AMRO’s expat service states that customers can open the Dutch account after moving to the Netherlands through the app without visiting a branch.
ING generally requires a Dutch address or RNI registration. Rabobank’s ordinary digital process is also better suited to applicants who have already completed local registration.
Students who need an account before arrival should therefore check bunq first, while those who have already secured a Dutch address can compare ABN AMRO and ING.
What Happens if You Do Not Provide the BSN?
Dutch banks are legally required to keep the BSN of customers who have one.
When a bank lets you start without it, you must provide the number before the deadline shown in your account. Missing that deadline can lead to:
- Restrictions on payments
- Inability to use certain services
- Additional identity requests
- Temporary account suspension
- Closure of the account
Students staying in the Netherlands for more than four months should register with their municipality and obtain a BSN as soon as possible.
Is a Dutch Credit History Required?
A local credit history is not normally required to open a basic current account with a debit card because the student spends money already held in the account.
Separate checks can apply when requesting:
- Credit card
- Overdraft
- Personal loan
- Instalment credit
For example, Rabobank states that income requirements and a credit check apply when a Rabo Free customer requests a credit card.
Which Online Bank Account Is Best?
ABN AMRO is one of the strongest options for international students who want a free student account and passport-based online verification.
ING is useful for students waiting for a BSN, while bunq offers the most flexible app-only experience and may allow eligible customers to begin before moving. Rabobank Rabo Free provides excellent value to students aged 18 to 27 who already have a BSN.
Always check document compatibility before starting because digital approval depends on the individual applicant and not only on the account advertised.
Official Sources
- ABN AMRO – Open a Student Account
- ABN AMRO – Banking for Expats
- ING – Banking for Expats
- ING – Open an Account Through the App
- bunq – Banking for Expats
- Rabobank – Open a Payment Account
- Rabobank – Rabo Free
